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The Khangai mountain range stretches from central Mongolia to the western border. It runs in parallel along the northern side of the Altai. In the eastern foothills, which are primarily covered by our tours, the mountainscape gradually morphs into the steppes of eastern mongolia. This geographical mixture creates a number of very interesting landscapes within manageable distance, and leads to a rich diversity in both flora and fauna.
The water of the river Ulaan Gol falls 25 m over a basalt cliff into
a pool, which then flows into the Orkhon.
The waterfall offers the most spectacular view after rainfall, but
in the interest of easier approach to the site, dry weather is
preferrable.
The water of the rivers Ulaan and Orkhon is cold, but very clear and suited for bathing. Please take into account though, that most mongols don't swim, and legend describes the pool under the falls as "bottomless". It is therefore advisable to act modest before a native audience, and of course to only step into the water in decent swimwear.
The Orkhon carries lots of fish, and is also worth a fishing trip. Reports talk about eels of more than a meter length. The river continues from here over more than 1000 km up to the northern border of Mongolia, where it joins the Selenge. In the Yenissey river, the wather then crosses siberia towards the northern sea.
The mineral springs of Khyatruun can't be reached by vehicle.
A hike or a riding tour brings us to a little plateau on a mountain
slope, which sits open in the surrounding forest.
The scenery has alpine character, with larch wood, granite boulders,
and blooming meadows.
At this place, both hot and cold mineral springs emanate from the rocks. Especially the hot spring is revered as beneficial. The buddhists offer their thanks for this healing power in a simple little temple. Different areas of the spring are assigned different effects. A series of small bath sheds, some in stone, some as log cabins, allow each visitor a private bath to sooth ones specific ailings.
There is no other infrastructure available here. The visitors have to bring food and other equipment themselfes (and are of course expected to take their wastes with them when leaving). Those who intend to stay overnight in a tent should be prepared for howling wolfes in the surrounding forest. But the shy animals normally avoid humans and the associated noise. In fact, any potential encounters tend to be more dangerous for the wolves than for the two legged visitors.
The Khustai National Park is located in the area around Khustain Nuruu ("birch
ridge"). This park hosts a so far very successful project since 1992,
to reestablish the original wild horses of Mongolia ("Przewalski horses",
"Takhi" in Mongolian). The animals went extinct from the wild in
the sixties, and had to be bred from captive herds.
The project isn't only a challenge in breeding and organization. It also carries a lot of symbolic weight for the people of Mongolia. Horses in general signify freedom and independence, and have made those possible in history. Reestablishing a wild species in the wild, which had already roamed the steppe in the times of Genghis Khan is a matter of significant national pride.
In historic times, this area was reserved as hunting grounds for Genghis Khan. The park primarily consists of rolling steppe, with small patches of birches and aspen. Besides the horses it is populated by deer, gazelles, and wolfes. The Ger camp is situated near a spot at the Tuul river, where the horses frequently appear in the evening for drinking, and offer a great subject for photographers. Many other wild animals can also be observed at the same place.